Projected first round pick risk that Dane Brugler isn’t willing to take in the 2026 NFL Draft

There is a 2026 NFL draft prospect that has caused a lot of mixed opinions among many draft analysts.

Ryan Roberts — National College Football Writer
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Feb 25, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Clemson defensive lineman Peter Woods (DL29) speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

At the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler was kind enough to join Best Pod Available to discuss a bevy of 2026 NFL Draft topics. Among the topics discussed, the conversation included some players that Brugler is higher on, the safest prospect in the class, and the player he is lower on compared to the consensus.

The latter created a very interesting discussion.

Without any hesitation, Brugler pointed to Clemson star defensive tackle Peter Woods. Largely considered a potential elite prospect in the class in the preseason, Woods did not have the season anyone had hoped for. It has caused him to become a bit of a divisive prospect throughout the draft process so far. It has caused Brugler, among other NFL Draft analysts, to have trouble projecting the talented defensive tackle to the NFL level.

Still just 21 years old, Woods has plenty of time to reach his potential. He does, however, enter the league as a more raw player than many expected. Here is what Brugler had to say about Woods and his overall concerns for any team drafting him inside of the first round, potentially.

Dane Brugler on Peter Woods

“Peter Woods, Clemson,” Brugler told A to Z Sports. “Okay, he’s probably one you see, and I was sky high on him coming into the year. Loved him like a top-five player. I think even throughout the year, if everything hits, he could be eighty-five percent Jalen Carter. And it’s like you could see a path where he could get there. Sure.

“He didn’t find that path this year. And I just get he’s a good athlete and something. He’s a good kid and everything. I just need more on tape from you. If you’re going to be a disruptive, somewhat undersized arms, a little bit shorter, I need a little bit more from you on the film. Of course, you wish the production was better, but more so the film, and just want to see more disruption from a guy.

“So I like him. I like the traits. He’s just not the sum of his parts yet. And it’s just if I’m going to draft a guy in the first round, I just need a little more or less risk if I’m going to draft a player that high like that.”

Peter Woods’ career background

Woods was considered to be a four-star and a top-100 player by each of the major recruiting platforms coming out of the 2023 class. On the 247 Sports Composite, Woods ended up rated as the No. 36 overall player, the No. 4 defensive lineman, and the No. 4 player from the state of Alabama.

Clemson managed to win out against an impressive offer list that included Georgia, Texas, Alabama, Michigan, Notre Dame, LSU, Texas A&M, Florida, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Penn State, USC, Miami, Auburn, Florida State, Indiana, Nebraska, Louisville, Kentucky, Arkansas, TCU, South Carolina, Arizona State, UNC, Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt, Maryland, Michigan State, Cincinnati, and UCF, among several others.

The Alabama native became an instant contributor on a deep Clemson defensive line as soon as he arrived on campus. During his three-year NFL career, the 6-2.5, 300-pound defensive tackle managed to collect 84 total tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, and five sacks. Woods also forced two fumbles and broke up a pass.

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